Letter: Ipswich D&D improvements still welcome

Monday

Jun 30, 2014 at 9:55 PMJun 30, 2014 at 9:55 PM

We, the citizens of Ipswich opposed to a Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru are grateful the owners have decided to withdraw their applications.In his letter, Roy Serpa noted that the intent of his applications for a zoning variance and special permit was to improve Lord Square.To set the record straight, this struggle with the owners, their attorney, the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals was never about improving Lord Square. From the outset, our group and more than 500 other Ipswich residents have recognized:1. If a variance had been granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals, the owners could have sold to McDonald’s, Burger King or any other fast-food establishment, and the town would have been powerless from stopping them from using the same variance to operate a drive-thru.2. The residents of this town by more than a two-thirds majority voted to direct the town officials to never grant a variance or special permit for a drive-thru in Ipswich. Granting the variance would run completely contrary to the wishes of the citizenry.3. The residents of Ipswich adopted a Climate Action Plan in 2001. This plan directs Ipswich town management and committees to base policy and planning decisions, in part, on the reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions and enhancement of pedestrian travel. Granting a variance and/or special permit would have increased traffic in Lord Square, harmful pollution from idling cars and dangers for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.From the very beginning, we have supported Mr. Serpa in planning to improve Lord Square. Constructing stores more in keeping with the local architecture on the three lots, setting the Dunkin’ Donuts building further back on the property currently housing the Laundromat, and simplifying the ingress and egress would be welcomed by all.We hope that Mr. Serpa will continue to pursue improving his business and its appearance in our town. Some of us have been waiting years for the corner to be cleaned up and redesigned to complement the adjoining historical areas. We hope the improvements without a drive-thru will come soon. — Casey Wright, High Street, Citizens Opposed to Fast Food Drive Through